Air Transat has suspended all flights out of Toronto until April 30.
Air Transat said the airline will also suspend some routes from Montreal for the same time period. The travel company says the Canadian government’s new and stricter border entry requirements caused a decline in bookings, forcing the airline to revise its flight schedule.
The airline notified travel agents of the cancellations in a memo that said passengers who paid for their flight or vacation package with cash or credit card will receive a full refund. The company added that currently at their destinations will be rebooked on flights returning to Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday this week that new pandemic measures for travel are coming and Canadians should cancel any travel plans. Trudeau said that even though existing travel control measures have been effective in keeping the number of COVID-19 infections low, more effort will be needed going forward.
Canada has had a ban on non-essential travel into the country by anyone who isn’t a citizen or permanent resident since March 2020, but it can’t as easily bar the flow of Canadians in and out of the country.
Trudeau pointed out that most people who return from abroad must quarantine for two weeks and they face financial penalties or jail time if they do not. People are also now required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada.